The board is planning to officially launch the superintendent search this fall, and name a new superintendent in spring 2013.

Crawley has also held administrative positions in the Arlington, Va., Chicago and Boston public school systems. He is also the co-author of Gaining on the Gap: Changing Hearts, Minds and Practice, which details Arlington's efforts to eliminate the achievement gap.

Crawley will be working with Hite to ensure a smooth leadership transition prior to Hite's departure Sept. 30. According to a release from the board, Crawley will work to assess the system's five priority areas: student achievement, effective teaching, safe and supportive schools, community partnerships and effective operations.

"I am excited to lead Prince George's County Public Schools at this critical time," Crawley said in a statement. "The school system has made significant academic strides in recent years and I look forward to helping students and teachers continue on that path."

The board also announced the appointment of Duane Arbogast as acting deputy superintendent, and Monica Goldson as acting chief operating officer. Arbogast previously served as Prince George's Chief Academics Officer for three years before being named acting deputy superintendent of academics earlier this summer. Goldson was previously the school system's assistant superintendent of the high school consortium.

A county-wide forum on the superintendent search was held Thursday at Central High School, and two more forums are scheduled: Tuesday at Bowie High School, and Aug. 30 at Northwestern High School. Both forums start at 6:30 p.m.